Attorney Jack Gannon named associate municipal court judge

February 18, 2013

By

Donna Kenny Kirwan

In a ceremony on Feb. 15 at Pawtucket City Hall, attorney John T. âJackâ Gannon is sworn-in as the new associate judge of the Pawtucket Municipal Court by Chief Judge Donna M. Nesselbush. On hand were Gannon's step-daughters Nicole Almeida and Melissa Young; son Sean Gannon; wife Diane Janelle; and son Patrick Gannon.

PAWTUCKET â In a Friday afternoon ceremony attended by city officials, friends and family members, attorney John T. âJackâ Gannon was sworn in as associate judge of the Pawtucket Municipal Court.
Chief Judge Donna M. Nesselbush, who formerly held the associate judge title, administered the oath to Gannon in the Municipal Court Chamber at Pawtucket City Hall. Gannon's wife, Diane Janelle, sons Patrick and Sean Gannon, and step-daughters Melissa Young and Nicole Almeida witnessed the swearing-in, along with his five grandchildren. Mayor Donald Grebien, Director of Administration Tony Pires, City Solicitor Frank Milos, Police Chief Paul King, Fire Chief William Sisson, and retired Police Chief George Kelley were also among the attendees.
Gannon, a city native, is a principal and managing partner in the law firm of McGarry and Gannon on Central Avenue. Educated in city schools, including Tolman High School, Gannon graduated from Northeastern University and earned his law degree from the Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1985. Admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1986, he is a member of the Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Massachusetts bar associations and the Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts.
Gannon previously served as Pawtucket's city solicitor from 1992 to 1997 under Mayor Robert Metivier and was city solicitor for six years in Central Falls. He also served as Grebien's director of administration in 201l, as the mayor settled into office.
Additionally, Gannon has served in legal capacities for other municipalities, including East Providence and Cumberland, and was legal counsel to the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 2005 to 2006.
According to city officials, Gannon was chosen from a field of seven applicants by a City Council review panel and was nominated by the City Council. A recent website lists the part-time position, which helps oversee the city's Municipal Traffic Court and Housing Court, at a salary of approximately $16,160.
In her remarks prior to the swearing-in, Nesselbush pronounced Gannon âperfect for the job, with the breadth and scope of his experience, the jobs he has held and the accomplishments he has made.â She added that she âcouldn't be more thrilledâ with the council's choice because of the honor and integrity he will be bringing to the court.
Grebien described Gannon as a âtrusted friendâ and an âoutstanding attorneyâ who had also served admirably as his director of administration until deciding to return full time to his law practice. He noted that Gannon has represented the city for many years, and said he was pleased the council had chosen him for the position.dkirwan@pawtuckettimes.com